New cases of shellfish poisoning in Samar alarm fisheries bureau

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 4 (PNA) -- The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has expressed alarm over negligence of vulnerable communities on red tide warnings after a fisherman in Daram, Samar died and 20 others fell ill due to shellfish poisoning.

Rodelio Villanueva, 36, of San Miguel village, Daram town died last Dec. 28 after consuming oyster leaf and scallops gathered from the sea near their village.

BFAR regional chief of integrated fisheries bureau Nancy Dayap said on Wednesday that the victim succumbed hours after eating the shellfish meat.

Villanueva’s family did not bring him to the nearest hospital in Catbalogan City, which is a 30-minute boat ride from the town, crossing the Samar Sea.

The fisheries bureau confirmed that at least 20 victims were downed by paralytic shellfish poisoning after eating leaf oysters and scallops, including the 11 patients rushed to the Samar Provincial Hospital in Catbalogan City.

Almost all victims are from Cabitun-an village in the coastal town of Daram and only two from nearby San Miguel village.

Dayap admitted that BFAR did not impose a shellfish ban in Daram town before the incident since water samples have not indicated presence of toxins, but coastal communities near red tide-affected bays have been told to refrain from consuming shellfish.

“Daram that time was negative, but in a few hours red tide can bloom since no one can control the movement of seawater,” Dayap explained.

The official believed that rough seas caused by typhoon Nina had brought red tide toxins to Daram from Maripipi Island in Biliran. Some Daram villages are facing Biliran Island, tagged as red tide-infested areas.

“The shellfish toxicity level in Daram water reached 139 micrograms of saxitoxin per 100 grams of meat. The regulatory limit is only 60 microgram per 100 grams,” Dayap explained.

The incident came on the heels of shellfish poisoning cases that killed two people and downed more than 30 others in Biliran province between Dec. 21 to Dec. 27, 2016.

According to BFAR’s advisory, fishes caught in the area are safe for human consumption provided that they are fresh, washed thoroughly and the entrails are removed before cooking.

Aside from Daram coastal waters, BFAR earlier imposed shellfish ban in Irong-Irong and Cambatuhay Bays in Samar; Matariano Bay in Eastern Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, Calubian, and Carigara Bay in Leyte; and coastal waters of Biliran province. (PNA) 

LAP/Sarwell Q. Meniano with Robert S. Bona (OJT)